CASTLETON, VT. – The Southern Vermont College men's cross country team saw impressive results Saturday at the Vermont State Championship hosted by Castleton State College as the group finished fifth in the eight-team field.

Each of the six Mountaineers who competed set personal bests as two climbed up the College's all-time top ten list on a great fall afternoon laden with sunshine and temperatures conducive to setting good times.

Junior Herson Canta (Eagle Rock, Calif.) led Southern Vermont with a time of 27:52, moving him up to fourth on the SVC 8K record list; that was good enough to place ninth overall in the 71-man field. He was followed by junior captain Victor Velazquez (Los Angeles, Calif.) who came through in 23rd at 28:56, making him now the eighth-best in school history. Just under a minute behind was sophomore Cameron Curtiss (Milton, Vt.), finishing in 29:53, almost a minute and a half faster than his previous best.

Finishing fourth for the Mountaineers was junior Hesbon Ogeka (Windom, Minn.), crossing the line in 30:32, and freshman Corey Barcomb (Burlington, Vt.) rounded out the SVC top five with a time of 31:03. Sophomore Kenneth Poteat (Yonkers, N.Y.) beat his previous best by 20 seconds at 32:29.

"We had a great week with two challenging work-outs," said head coach Kathleen Newton. "We are getting stronger and fitter each week, and the team pack is getting closer and stronger each meet."

Lyndon State College came in first as a team, led by senior Kyle Powers (Waterford, Vt.) who came in at 26:31. Castleton State College and Division II Saint Michael's College finished second and third, respectively.

The Mountaineers now start working for the Keene Invitational at Keene State College next Saturday, start time scheduled for 11:45 a.m.